I think I finally figured out what the problem was. The garage door
opener, which was also about 30 years old, developed some sort of
weird problem in the electronics that allowed it to draw current
without throwing a breaker. The other circuits which were on that
side of the 110 were also affected. After I disconnected the garage
door opener all the other circuits were ok. The hotplates, microwave
etc. went back to normal. Since I checked the panel for loose wires,
circuit breakers etc. and all was ok the only thing it could have been
was the garage door opener and probably the electrolytic capacitor or
some other component has gone bad. There is no obvious burning or
anything in the opener, so now I have to find out if it's repairable
or have to get a new one. Thanks for the help though.



J